Traffic drummer Capaldi, 60, dies of cancer

LONDON, UK (Steve Winwwod Fans Website) - Former Traffic drummer Jim Capaldi has passed away from stomach cancer. He was 60 years old and died in the London Clinic after a brief battle with the illness. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame last year as a member of Traffic.

Capaldi succumbed to stomach cancer surrounded by family. He was described by his longtime manager, John Taylor, as one of the most influential songwriters, not only of his generation but in the history of popular music culture.

Capaldi, a drummer, wrote many of Traffic's hits, with album sales topping 25 million. The band split in 1979 and regrouped in 1993 to record a new album, Far From Home.
He also worked with artists such as Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Paul Weller.

Capaldi, whose driving rock rhythms and songwriting ability helped make groundbreaking band Traffic a household name in the 1960s and 70s with - among others - Steve Winwood and Dave Mason - also had an illustrious solo career. When Traffic finally broke up in 1974 after releasing 11 albums - including the iconic songs 40,000 Headmen, Dear Mr Fantasy, Fierce Heart and Some Come Running while touring with his own band The Contenders.
Some of his songs, "Tonight You're Mine," "Nobody Loves You," "Anna Julia"," and "Something So Strong" were ruled North American airwaves as radio anthems for many years.

Capaldi was already working on his 12th solo album when Winwood - who also scored major solo successes - called him back to collaborate on a new album.
"Steve rang me when he heard this morning. He is very upset. They were very close and had plans to record and tour again. He was praying Jim would recover from his illness," Winwood's manager Mick Newton told Reuters.
Capaldi is survived by his wife, Aninha, and their two children.